Yes, Tennessee is off to its best start in SEC play since the 1981-82 season, when the Vols opened the conference slate 9-0.

And, yes, UT feels good to have gotten its first win at Rupp Arena since 1999, a 75-67 victory Tuesday night.

But no, the Vols say, they don't believe everyone is buying into their success, despite their No. 11 national ranking, 17-3 overall record and 8-1 SEC mark. The Vols also have a two-game lead in the SEC after Florida's 71-67 loss to South Carolina on Wednesday.

"A lot of people probably still don't think we're that good,'' UT guard JaJuan Smith said. "A lot of people are saying Kentucky is having a bad season.''

The Wildcats dropped to 15-8 and 5-4 in the SEC, but they had won five in a row prior to losses to Florida and Tennessee.

Next up for the Vols is a 4 p.m. Saturday game at Georgia (14-8, 4-5).

UT senior Andre Patterson said the Vols are taking it one game at a time, but he can't help but notice the Gators are getting more respect than UT despite the Vols' win in that head-to-head match up.

"A lot of people are not giving us respect,'' Patterson said. "There are people on TV saying Florida is a better team.''

Major Wingate sighed heavily when asked if the win over Kentucky would silence any remaining critics.

"I hope so,'' Wingate said. "I hope all the doubters bet their house against us, so they can go somewhere else.''

Best Touch: UT associate head coach Tony Jones heaped high praise on Chris Lofton, calling him "the best shooter I've ever been associated with.''

Jones coached Jalen Rose and former NBA 3-point shootout champion Voshon Leonard when they were in high school.

"Chris told me before the game his jump shot had been on vacation,'' Jones said, "but I'm back home now.''

Lofton played in Rupp Arena during the Kentucky high school state championships, and once made nine 3-pointers in a game for Mason County High School.

"It was my favorite gym,'' said Lofton, who scored a career-high 31 points against Kentucky, making 7 of 10 3-point attempts. "I have a lot of favorite gyms now.''

Tough Battle: Dane Bradshaw said Randolph Morris presented one of the stiffest challenges of the year for the Vols' interior defense.

"Morris is the strongest player I've ever played against, and that includes Glen Davis,'' Bradshaw said. "You can't budge him.''

Morris led the Wildcats with 20 points and seven rebounds in Tuesday night's game.

Super C.J.: Vols senior point guard C.J. Watson had an off shooting night, making 3 of 11 shots from the floor while missing all five of his 3-point attempts.

UT coach Bruce Pearl, however, said Watson was successful in another vital area.

"Patrick Sparks was a real key to (Kentucky's) resurgence, and we put C.J. on him,'' Pearl said. "You have to give C.J. a lot of credit for the defense he played.''

Sparks scored two points, making one basket in two attempts in 15 minutes.

Watson also contributed with five rebounds, four assists and three steals while committing just two turnovers.